Les Bowen

STAFF WRITER

Les Bowen has covered the Eagles since 2002. Before that, he covered the Flyers for 13 years. He came to the Daily News from the Charlotte Observer in May 1983, just as the Sixers were winning the NBA championship. He thought, "Gosh, this sort of thing must happen all the time here."

UPDATED: A league source told the Daily News earlier today that the Eagles have had at least one conversation with another team about potentially trading Pro Bowl right guard Shawn Andrews. However, moments ago, a source close to the situation said the report was baseless.

Messages left for Andrews and agent Rich Moran were not returned.

Andrews, who missed all but two games last season, signed a contract extension in 2006 that locked him up for 10 seasons, during which he will make about $35.5 million.

When Andrews missed the start of training camp last season with what turned out to be severe depression, there was speculation that he was unhappy with his contract. Moran denied that, but the speculation continued.

Team president Joe Banner told the Daily News earlier this week that the Eagles understand that paying close to $100 million to a pair of offensive tackles might make other players compare their compensation unfavorably; he said teams have to keep that in mind before making big moves, “but you can’t have your hands tied, and not be able to move forward.”